Raipur, March 28: Overcoming financial hardship and training with makeshift equipment, 19-year-old weightlifter Babulal Hembrom from Jharkhand clinched a silver medal in the men’s 60kg category at the Khelo India Tribal Games 2026 held in Chhattisgarh.
Hailing from Keribanda village in Ramgarh district, Hembrom’s journey from poverty to the national podium reflects grit and determination. He began weightlifting in 2018 despite severe financial constraints, often training with bamboo sticks and iron rods at construction sites due to lack of proper equipment.
“It was a tough period for me when I took up the sport in 2018. Financially, we couldn’t afford the equipment and the kit to train, and hence I would make do with bamboo sticks and iron rods,” Hembrom said.
His dedication eventually earned him a place at the Jharkhand State Sports Promotion Society, where he trained under coach Gurvinder Singh, travelling nearly 60 km daily to pursue his passion.
Coming from a financially struggling family—his mother a school cook and father engaged in odd jobs—Hembrom, the youngest of five siblings, has steadily risen through the ranks of Indian weightlifting.
He first gained national attention after winning a gold medal in the 49kg category at the Khelo India Youth Games 2024. He has also secured medals at the IWF World Youth Weightlifting Championships and the Asian Junior and Youth Championships.
Reflecting on his latest achievement, Hembrom said, “This silver medal at the Khelo India Tribal Games has given me the confidence that I am on the right path with my training.”
Currently training at national camps in Patiala as he transitions into the senior circuit, the young lifter has set his sights on representing the country at major global events.
“Definitely, my ambitions are to represent India in major international events like the Commonwealth Games, Asian Games and the world championships,” he added.
Officials said Hembrom’s journey underscores the importance of grassroots sports initiatives in nurturing talent from remote regions and providing them with a national platform.
